Weight Distribution Hitch for Keystone Outback 30BHDS Travel Trailer Towed by 2017 Ram 1500  

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Expert Reply:

For towing a travel trailer such as the tandem axle Keystone Outback 30BHDS with your 2015 Ram 1500 you will be better off using a weight distribution/sway control (WD/SC) hitch system rather than a rear axle jounce spring kit.

Timbren products are terrific, and ultimately you may find you want to add them, but the most fundamental and noticeable improvements in trailer handling will come from using a WD/SC system. WD/SC systems actually shift trailer tongue weight (TW) forward onto the tow vehicle's front axle, whereas rear jounce spring only stiffen the rear suspension. Both will make the truck appear to be level but the improvements in trailer handling from a WD setup will be far better.

Selecting the right system requires knowing your trailer's actual fully-loaded TW, with your tanks filled, supplies in place and with all your sporting equipment loaded. The easiest way to measure is with a scale like the etrailer Tongue Weight Scale # e99044.

To pick out a WD/SC system you need to add the loaded trailer TW to the weight of any cargo in the Ram that sits behind the rear axle, say a generator for instance. This cargo weight acts like trailer TW so it needs to be included. With your total TW known you can choose a system such that your total TW falls in the middle of its operating range.

For instance the Equal-I-zer system you looked at # EQ37120ET works over a TW range of 800- to 1200-lbs so it would be ideal if your total loaded TW were 1000-lbs. Based on the trailer specs you provided this is likely to be a perfect match for the trailer.

Please have a look at the linked video on WD systems.

expert reply by: Adam R

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